Colored contact lens and method of making same

Abstract

A method coloring a contact lens. The method comprises providing a contact lens having a pupil region and a generally annular-shaped iris region surrounding the pupil region. The iris region is adapted to at least partially cover a wearer's iris when the wearer is wearing the contact lens. The method further comprises providing a printer assembly having an inkjet print head, and using the printer assembly to deposit at least one colorant on the iris region of the contact lens in a manner to alter the appearance of the iris of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the contact lens.

1. A method comprising:
 providing a contact lens having a pupil region and a generally annular-shaped iris region surrounding the pupil region, the iris region being adapted to at least partially cover a wearer's iris when the wearer is wearing the contact lens;  
 providing a printer assembly having an inkjet print head;  
 using the printer assembly to deposit at least one colorant on the iris region of the contact lens in a manner to alter the appearance of the iris of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the contact lens;  
 the step of using the printer assembly to deposit at least one colorant on the iris region of the contact lens comprises using the printer assembly to tilt the contact lens both laterally and longitudinally while depositing at least one colorant on the iris region of the contact lens.  
 
   
   
     2. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 using the inkjet print head to deposit at least one colorant on a transfer surface causes the at least one colorant to be deposited on the transfer surface in a first colorant pattern; and  
 transferring the colorant from the transfer surface to the iris region of the contact lens causes the at least one colorant to be deposited on the iris region of the contact lens in a second colorant pattern.  
 
   
   
     3. A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the second colorant pattern is different than the first colorant pattern. 
   
   
     4. A method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the second colorant pattern is a mirror image of the first colorant pattern. 
   
   
     5. A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the at least one colorant is directly deposited on the transfer surface via the inkjet print head. 
   
   
     6. A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the transfer surface comprises a pad printing pad.